MORRIS COUNTY -- The county jail's union president has filed a lawsuit to reverse a one-day suspension he received for signing an expense voucher.

Donald Del Vecchio, president of PBA Local 298, was disciplined by jail Warden Frank Corrente on April 29 for "neglect of duty" for signing a reimbursement-of-funds voucher, "which was approved by and received directly from Corrente," states the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Morristown.

The suspension was upheld July 13 at an internal hearing. Del Vecchio's lawsuit, which names as defendants the Morris County Sheriff's Department and Corrente, seeks another hearing, the removal of the suspension from his employment record and back pay.

Corrente said in a telephone interview that only he is supposed to sign reimbursement vouchers authorizing payment for expenses.

"I stand by what was already out there," Corrente said. "Policies were violated. Our actions were affirmed by a hearing officer. If a judge wants to hear it again, that's his prerogative. I have no choice. It seems like a waste of money."

Last year, Del Vecchio filed harassment charges against then-Undersheriff Ralph McGrane. Those complaints were dismissed earlier this year in Superior Court.

Del Vecchio's lawsuit also claims that the July 13 hearing on his suspension was improper because attorney John Barbarula, who had represented McGrane in the harassment case, was present. The suspension was "retaliation" for Del Vecchio's dispute with McGrane, and Del Vecchio was denied due process and a fair hearing, the lawsuit alleges.

Corrente said Barbarula represents the jail and was at the July 13 hearing in his capacity as attorney for the jail.